Dear Sir, I would give anything to have heard the memories my father had, he just could not deal with the memories of WW2, He was a BlackWatch Canloan officer, Leuit. 22 CDN Eric Barton Howard, He ended his career an RCR 1st Battalion, last tour of duty 1966,67 cyprus. He was also a Princess Pat, of which he held close to his heart, the only memory he kept was his wooden place with the Pat's insignia on it. He was taken off the field of battle in WW2 after 36 days in battle, hysterically blinded, from seeing his comrades blown out of the trench with him, but they died, he only died inside. He was entered into a physchiatic ward on 20 July 1944, he was sent to Guys Hospital but first to 175 field ambulance on July 13th, then after Guy's hospital to BAsin. Neuro.The medic who wrote his notes when my father was taken from the field, wrote good notes as to the fact he was a brave man who had had not rest in 36 days, as rest area being shelled constantly, then blindness likely brought on by the minds unwillingness to see his comrades being blown to bits. the medic made sure no one would think 22 Lieut. Howard was a coward, the medic also put as the first line on my fathers report, that his father is a colonel in the Canadian Blackwatch, also doctors notes say Howard is very eager to return to his battalion, they could not allow it ,as he was jarred by every sound, bang or loud noise. but he wanted to go back to fight. I thought to myself how wonderful it was to make sure his Colonel father would not think his son was chickening out, trying to get back to canada. It is also nice for his daughter to know how badly he wanted to get back to his comrades. He never even told us he was in WW2 let alone anything about the war. He did mention Korea the odd time, but we always wondered why he would watch a Bridge to far and say bad things about Montgomery, and how far off the movie was from what really happened, he talked as if he was actually there. We just assumed he was dealing with stories his father told him. We only found out about his WW2 involvement, this year when I recieved his military file.He joined the blackwatch in 1941 at the ripe age of 17, they correct his age a year later when he can admit he lied to get in. When he was in WW2 he was with 21A grp canloan 5th battalion 51st highlanders, with all this info I cannot figure out from all the sites on this computor if he jumped in Arnhem or normandy. I am proud he went to keep his country free, but I would like to know if possible where he was. it says on his papers he left U.K for NWE on June 3 1944. and on July 13th admitted to fieldambulance hospital discharged from Bas. Neuro. Aug 30th to 3 infantry depot. he get struck off strength of canloan 25 oct 44. I can't figure out what he did from Aug30th until oct 25 44 and he doesn't have any more entries till he gets to montreal in july of 1945. was he still fighting, his doctor notes say they feel it unwise in July of 44 to put him back on the front lines and then nothing. I was hoping as you were a Pat and in WW2, you might have Known my dad and might be able to tell me something about his WW2 involvement. His medals and anything to do with his military career are gone, and I can't find anything out from my siblings, as they prefer to forget that they had a father. I chose to find anything good out about him, as no matter what, he was a soldier and I am free thanks to him and the men he saw die beside him. I want to have proud thoughts, He was very damaged and I can tell from all I read why and it helps me to know he did good things, even great ones, so if anyone can help me with his WW2 career I would be grateful. Eileen Howard Fralick
